Means and method of tiled surface construction

Abstract

A means and method of wall construction utilizes plastic diamond mesh and permanently inset float strips imbedded in the setting bed for the ceramic tile.

I claim: 
     
       1. A synthetic float strip for floating a setting bed on a structural surface for a tile wall, said strip comprising: (a) an elongated flat body;   (b) said body having a plurality of openings passing through the thickness to permit exposed surfacedefining mortar in said openings to contact said structural surface;   (c) said body having a substantially smooth, flat front surface to serve as a guide for screeding board; and   (d) at least a portion of the perimeter of said body being bevelled to provide a positive purchase for screeded mortar.   
     
     
       2. A strip according to claim 1 wherein said openings are circular, more than half as wide as said strip, and flaired outwardly to provide an expanded purchasing surface to subsequently applied tile bonding compound. 
     
     
       3. A method of constructing a wall on an existing structural surface comprising: (a) applying a pair of spaced swaths of mortar to said structural surface;   (b) imbedding a pair of permanent float strips in said swaths of mortar;   (c) applying a layer of mortar between said permanent float strips and screeding said layer to the level of said float strips, using said float strips as screeding guides, to define a setting bed; and   (d) applying the final wall surfacing composition to said setting bed covering said float strip.   
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said float strips each contain numerous openings passing through the thickness thereof and step C includes substantially filling said openings. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said float strips are molded in plastic and have flaired edges, and step C includes covering said flaired edges with mortar. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 3 and including the step of fastening a layer of diamond mesh lath to said structural surface prior to step A, whereby steps A and C include applying mortar over said mesh. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said mesh is composed of at least semi-flexible and non-abrasive material to permit the easy handling thereof. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said mesh is of petro-chemical composition. 
     
     
       9. A claim according to claim 8 and further including the step of applying an impermeable layer to said structural surface prior to fastening said mesh, said mesh being fastened to said structural surface through said impermeable layer with staples. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 3 and further including the step of plumbing said float strips prior to step C. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 3 wherein step D comprises covering said setting bed having the float strips therein with cement and laying ceramic tile in said cement.